Star Size Comparisons
Credit & Copyright:
morn1415 (YouTube)
How big is our Sun compared to other stars?
In a dramatic and
popular video featured on
YouTube,
the relative sizes of planets and stars are shown from smallest to largest.
The
above video starts with
Earth's Moon and progresses through increasingly larger planets in our
Solar System.
Next, the
Sun is shown along as compared to many of the
brighter stars in our neighborhood of the
Milky Way Galaxy.
Finally, some of the largest stars known spin into view.
Note that the true sizes of most stars outside of the Sun and
Betelgeuse are not known by direct observation, but rather inferred by measurements of their perceived
brightness,
temperature, and distance.
Although an inspiring learning tool that is mostly accurate,
APOD readers are encouraged to complete the learning experience -- and possibly help make future versions more accurate -- by
pointing out slight inaccuracies in the video.